Place-Making Research: A Bibliometric, Visualization, and Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Place-making is recognized for its significant role in enhancing community cohesion, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting environmental sustainability. In recent years, place-making has garnered increasing attention as a multidisciplinary research topic from scholars in various fields. However, despite the increasing amount of research, systematic reviews and analyses of existing studies remain relatively scarce. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive bibliometric overview of the field of place-making through bibliometric and visualization analyses. We used CiteSpace for data analysis and visualization, focusing on the most influential articles, journals, countries, research categories, keywords, and themes in this field. The results indicate a significant increase in publications on placemaking since 2013. Major research institutions are concentrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Research hotspots are centered around “city”, “politics”, and “place-making”, among others. Current research is primarily categorized into four core themes: Urban Design and Public Space, Social Participation and Cultural Identity, Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability, and Governance, Policy, and Community Development. The research trajectory in this field shows trends of diversification and integration. Future research should emphasize interdisciplinary integration, combining urban planning, digital technology, and sociology.